Signification
Informal way to say goodbye.
Contexte culturel
Latvians are known for being reserved, but 'Čau, čau!' is a sign that the ice has melted. If someone uses this with you, they consider you a peer or a friend. The origin of the word. While Italians use 'Ciao' for everything, Latvians have specialized it, using the double version specifically for parting. In the 70s and 80s, 'Čau' was a 'cool' word used by youth to sound more Western and less like the official Soviet 'Poka'. In the era of smartphones, 'cc' is sometimes used as a shorthand for 'čau čau' in very informal chats among gamers or close friends.
The Smile Factor
Always say 'Čau, čau!' with a smile. It's a high-energy, friendly phrase.
The Boss Rule
Wait for your boss to use 'Čau' first before you use it with them.
Signification
Informal way to say goodbye.
The Smile Factor
Always say 'Čau, čau!' with a smile. It's a high-energy, friendly phrase.
The Boss Rule
Wait for your boss to use 'Čau' first before you use it with them.
Texting shorthand
In very casual texts, you can just write 'cc' to mean 'čau čau'.
Teste-toi
Which of these is the most appropriate situation to use 'Čau, čau!'?
You are leaving...
'Čau, čau!' is strictly informal and perfect for friends or classmates.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
A: Labi, man jādodas mājās. B: Skaidrs. Tiekamies rīt! ____, ____!
The doubling of 'Čau' fits the informal context of meeting tomorrow.
Match the goodbye to the person you are speaking to.
1. Your best friend, 2. Your grandmother, 3. A shop assistant you don't know
Friends get 'Čau, čau', family gets a mix of warmth and respect, and strangers get formal politeness.
Finish the phone conversation naturally.
Māte: Neaizmirsti silti saģērbties! Dēls: Labi, mammu, neaizmirsīšu. Man jāskrien. ____!
Family members use informal language, especially when in a hurry.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
When to use 'Čau, čau!'
Friends
- • Classmates
- • Best friends
- • Roommates
Family
- • Siblings
- • Cousins
- • Parents
Casual Work
- • Teammates
- • Work buddies
- • Slack chats
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesYou are leaving...
'Čau, čau!' is strictly informal and perfect for friends or classmates.
A: Labi, man jādodas mājās. B: Skaidrs. Tiekamies rīt! ____, ____!
The doubling of 'Čau' fits the informal context of meeting tomorrow.
1. Your best friend, 2. Your grandmother, 3. A shop assistant you don't know
Friends get 'Čau, čau', family gets a mix of warmth and respect, and strangers get formal politeness.
Māte: Neaizmirsti silti saģērbties! Dēls: Labi, mammu, neaizmirsīšu. Man jāskrien. ____!
Family members use informal language, especially when in a hurry.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
7 questionsTechnically no. While 'Čau' is hello/goodbye, the double version is specifically for goodbye.
Only if your teacher is very young and has asked you to use 'Tu'. Otherwise, use 'Uz redzēšanos'.
In Latvian, it's always 'Čau, čau'. Don't use the Italian 'Ciao'.
Neither is 'better'. 'Atā' is more native Latvian, 'Čau, čau' is more modern/slang.
Yes, it is gender-neutral, though men might use the single 'Čau' more often than the double.
That's fine too! 'Čau' is a perfectly good goodbye on its own.
Yes, it is understood and used from Liepāja to Daugavpils.
Expressions liées
Atā!
synonymBye!
Uz redzēšanos!
contrastUntil we see each other again
Čaviņ!
specialized formHi/Bye (cute)
Pagaidām!
similarFor now!
Visu labu!
contrastAll the best!
